2018 CSDFEA Larry Itliong Art Contest Winner Announced on Oct. 25!

Thank You from Mackenzie Tibayan: "A Sudden Realization" - This perspective reflects my own artistic concentration on human abstraction. Our own morale and principles outline these abstractions, yet that is the beauty of our own humanity. Each phase displays the realization of who I truly am, a proud Filipino in the face of the challenging world. It is with my own appreciation of my nationality, my own will, and independence that made me reach the sudden realization that "you are your own hero." Thank you to the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employee Association for this award and for my family who has not only supported me but has influenced me in both my determination and commitment towards my love of art."

On Friday, June 8, 2018, CSDFEA proudly presented the Larry Itliong Scholarship Awards to this year's winners, Marc Hagoriles ($1000) and Rianne Magbuhat ($500). Both Marc and Rianne are both high school seniors who will be attending university in Fall 2018. The scholarship award was evaluated based on academics, community service, and essay response.

Thank You from Marc Hagoriles: First off, I want to say thank you to the County of San Diego Filipino American Employee's Association for upholding an essay contest that was able to portray and draw out my passion for the Filipino culture. You guys gave me a platform to speak on, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity that you gave me. As an immigrant coming from the motherland, Philippines, I would say that I was afraid. I was afraid that I would be alone in this foreign country, and being proud of where I came from seemed very daunting, but as the days passed by, I met more people like me, looking for a voice, a platform to speak on, a pen to write with. It will always be an honor to represent the values of the Filipino Community, and sharing my Filipino pride to the community of San Diego -- a deed that I will continue to do everywhere I go, because I am proud to be a full-fledged Filipino, raised by the beliefs of my ancestors whom their spirits live on in each and every Filipino, and no one, no matter what the circumstances are, will be able to to take that away from me. I would like to say thank you to my parents, as they are the reasons why I am who I am today. They work their butts off everyday to make sure that me and my sister have food to eat. I owe everything to them. And lastly, a note for everyone : Always hold your chin up, because you are a Filipino, and the Filipino pride lives on extensively for everyone that upholds the values that Filipinos are known for. Mabuhay everyone!​

Thank You from Rianne Magbuhat: ​Thank you to CSDFEA for this honor and their support in my future at SDSU, where I plan to major in Studio art and Education. I would also like to thank my family who are here with me today, for their never ending support in all my endeavors. They have always reminded me to prioritize my education and become the best version of myself possible. Maraming Salamat po!

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017, CSDFEA proudly awarded $500 to the 2017 CSDFEA Larry Itliong Art Contest winner, Nicole Manuguid. Honorary mentions (along with $250) were awarded to Sophia Basilio and Ervey Star Del Rosario. Nicole is 16 years of age and attends Olympian High School.

Nicole's Art Piece Description: "My diverse community at its best works together. We show through hard work, we can accomplish goals. My community not only strives to create an open-minded, welcoming environment but influences the entire world to follow the same manner, shown through my placement of united individuals leading the world. The monochromatic hand exemplify that hard work is recognized regardless of someone's background because in an effective and diverse community, there is no bias, just appreciation."

2017 CSDFEA Larry Itliong Scholarship Awarded on Friday, June 9!

On Friday, June 9, 2017, CSDFEA proudly awarded a $1,500 Larry Itliong Scholarship Award to Sandra Basilio, a Filipino American college student pursuing a degree in Engineering. Below is thank you speech from Sandra:

"It is with a sincere heart that I would like to thank CSDFEA for this wonderful opportunity that head starts my journey to another chapter in my college career. I want to thank my family for always being there for me and lifting me up to be the person I am today. You are the core of my successes and dreams and I will never forget that... I am from an immigrant family. That is my foundation and I am proud of that. The works of Larry Itliong and CSDFEA and all of us here shows that we can still have a sense of bayanihan or camaraderie no matter how far we go from a country that we will always call home. Being recognized in this way is very humbling and is a great honor. As a County worker, I learned how everything we do is for the common good of the public and that is why we always strive hard. Thank you again and I look forward to serving more of San Diego and going forward, the future of the Filipino American community."

2016 Larry Itliong Essay & Scholarship Winners Announced!

​In honor of the life and legacy of Larry Itliong, the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association proudly hosted the LARRY ITLIONG DAY CELEBRATION on Tuesday, October 25, 2017.

Under a bill introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta, the first Filipino-American elected to the California State Legislature, October 25 will now be observed as Larry Itliong Day. "History was changed, but those stories weren’t being told in the history books, weren’t being captured, and it was important to me for that to change especially in the most diverse state in the country," says Bonta.

2015 Larry Itliong Essay Contest

In honor of the life and legacy of Larry Itliong, the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association proudly hosted the LARRY ITLIONG DAY CELEBRATION.

Under a bill introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta, the first Filipino-American elected to the California State Legislature, October 25 will now be observed as Larry Itliong Day. "History was changed, but those stories weren’t being told in the history books, weren’t being captured, and it was important to me for that to change especially in the most diverse state in the country," says Bonta.